Environmental Assessment >
Freshwater
Freshwater
Rivers and Streams
Rivers and streams are important biological, commercial, and
recreational resources. They provide habitat for fish and wildlife,
drinking water, and are important for transportation as well as recreation
such as fishing and kayaking. Washington streams face challenges
from toxics and bacteria from stormwater run-off and degradation from
logging, development, climate change, and other sources. Monitoring
rivers and streams is crucial for protecting habitat of salmon and other
species, and ensuring water and food security.
Aquatic Plant and Lakes
Clean lakes are important to everyone who boats, swims, fishes, or
simply enjoys the beauty of lakes. Lakes face many threats ranging from
development of stormwater runoff to invasive species. Ecology monitored lakes for water quality from 1989 to 1999, but funding
for the work was
discontinued in 2000 due to insufficient funding. The Environmental
Assessment Program has been monitoring aquatic plant communities since
1991.
